Manila, Nov 17 (Prensa Latina) The president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, said today that his country is ready to join the Forum of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which two-day summit begins tomorrow in this capital.

The Colombian president, who will attend this meeting as a guest, said he has confirmed that all the nations of that intercontinental mechanism are interested in incorporating Bogota.

In a balance made to the press on his activities on the second day of stay in Manila, Santos remembered that Colombia is the only country in the Pacific Alliance (also integrated by Mexico, Peru and Chile) which is not yet a member of the APEC.

The South American nation waits for APEC to lift the moratorium on membership for its next summit, scheduled to be held in Peru in 2016.

Santos added that despite the difficult international economic environment, his country has maintained favorable economic indicators, which is recognized by international markets and investors, with a growth of GDP above three percent, low inflation and a fiscal deficit under control.

In a previous bilateral meeting with Philippine's President Benigno Aquino III, the visitor thanked Manila for boosting his attendance as a guest to APEC's 23rd convening at the highest level.

Colombia wants to demonstrate to be ready to become the 22nd member of that group, said the Colombian president on the subject while having a dialogue with the host president.

In that regard, he assured that the admission to APEC will allow his country to strengthen its presence in one of the largest regional markets in the world, while it will open new trade and investment possibilities.

During the day, Santos held another bilateral dialogue with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is in Manila to attend the Asia-Pacific presidential meeting.

During the second day of his stay in Southeast Asia, the Colombian president spoke again with another group of businessmen from the region, to whom he presented the opportunities for foreign investment offered by Bogota.